Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II, Part 75

Author: Brigham, Johnson, 1846-1936; Clarke (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II > Part 75

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CHARLES N. O. LEIR, M. D.

Merit and ability bave brought Dr. Charles N. O. Leir to a prominent posi- tion in the ranks of the medical fraternity in Des Moines. He was born in Jackson county, Minnesota, November 20, 1869, and is a son of Nicholas Olson .and Rebecca (Lilleberg) Leir. Both were natives of Norway, the father's birth having occurred there October 13, 1828, while the mother's natal day was May 9, 1832. Nicholas O. Leir crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1854 and for a time lived in Dane county. Wisconsin, but later removed to Jackson county, Minnesota, where he died February 22, 19II. For many years he was actively connected with agricultural interests but in the evening of life enjoyed well earned and well merited rest. His wife came to this country with her parents in 1862, at which time the family home was established in Fillmore county, Minnesota. She is still living in Jackson county, that state.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Dr. Leir aided in the work of the home farm and pursued his early education in the district schools of Jackson county, after which he spent three years in an Episcopal school at Wilder, Minnesota. He next entered Highland Park College of Des Moines and is numbered among its alumni of the class of 1896. In preparation for

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the practice of medicine he matriculated in Drake University as a medical stu- dent and was graduated in 1901, his professional degree being at that time con- ferred upon him. He has since done post-graduate work in electro therapeutics in Chicago, as a student in the Illinois School of Electro Therapeutics and has also done much private reading and study. He served one year as interne at Mercy Hospital and is now a member of the medical staff ; he is also connected with Drake University Medical College, as a teacher of electro therapeutics and also as instructor of other classes. His practice is now large and satisfactory and by personal merit and ability he has won for himself a place among the leading physicians of the city, having well appointed offices in the Utica building.

Dr. Leir has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Mary Flanigan, a native of Iowa county, their marriage being celebrated on the 9th of September, 1903. She departed this life December 30, 1906, leaving a little son, Martin Drakely, who was born in Des Moines, September 9, 1905. The Doctor was again married, April 22, 1908, to Lillian Osborn, a native of Webster City, Iowa.

Dr. Leir is a member of the Episcopal church and of the Woodmen of the World. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is actively interested in both local and state politics. He was the nominee for the house of representatives at the last general election, but like the majority of demo- cratic candidates, was defeated. He is recognized, however, as a man of firm convictions, loyal to his honest beliefs. In professional lines he is connected with the Polk County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, is a member of the Des Moines Civil Service Commission, and at all times he keeps in touch with what is being done by the profession as investigation and research broaden knowledge and promote efficiency.

EMORY C. WORTHINGTON.

The Worthington family has participated in every notable war in the his- tory of the United States, the present generation having been represented in the Spanish-American war and the subsequent Philippine conflict by Emory C. Worthington, who was born in Des Moines no the 23d of November, 1870. His father, C. B. Worthington, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred on the 26th of November, 1845. His parents removed to Wisconsin in 1860 and located near Madison. He came to Iowa in 1868, locating in Des Moines, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the bank of B. F. Allen. Fol- lowing which he served West & Sons, bankers, in a similar capacity, withdraw- ing from this employment to accept the appointment of chief clerk under Gov- ernor Gear. He served as deputy county treasurer from 1880 to 1883, and was elected to the office of county treasurer in 1883. At the expiration of his term of office he became cashier of the Iowa National Bank, continuing in that position for several years. From there he went to the Des Moines National Bank, where he was assistant cashier for four years. He was for several years treasurer of the Iowa Agricultural Society. When the Spanish-American war broke out he went to the front as captain and assistant quartermaster, United States Volunteers, serving in the United States and Cuba during 1898-99. This was not Mr. Worthington's first military experience, as he had enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Battery during the Civil war and served for three years, during which time he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Corinth. and all of the battles in which his battery participated. He married Miss Mary Chapman, who was born in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, in 1847. One other son, beside our subject was born of this union: Leighton C., who resides at Grand Junction, Colorado, where the parents removed in 1905.

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Emory C. Worthington acquired his education in the public schools of this city, graduating from the East Des Moines high school with the class of 1887. Immediately following he went into the county treasurer's office, where he re- mained eleven years, during the last four of which he was chief deputy. In 1889 he entered the National Guard, being promoted from private to captain prior to the Spanish-American war. He went to the front as captain of Com- pany H, Fifty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in April, 1898, spending nineteen months in service, twelve of which were in the Philippine Islands, where he participated in all the engagements of his regiment. After the close of the war Mr. Worthington again entered the National Guard as captain and regimental adjutant of the Fifty-fifth Infantry, and in 1908 was promoted to major. Since returning from the Philippines he has been engaged in accounting, as tax and general accountant. He is now president of the National Accounting Company engaged in the business of general public accounting.

On the 22d of June, 1893, Mr. Worthington was united in marriage to Miss Anna Francis, who was born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, a daughter of Joseph Francis, a contractor, who was a resident of Des Moines for more than thirty years prior to his death in 1902. Her mother passed away during her early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Worthington affiliate with the Episcopal church, and he holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Coming from colonial ancestry, both he and his father belong to the Sons of the American Revolution, this privilege being awarded them through Colonel Eliphalet Bulkley of Connecticut, C. B. Worthington's great-grandfather, who actively participated in the war for independence. Emory C. Worthington is also a descendant on the maternal side of Ensign Joseph Chapman, of the Continental navy, who was his great-great-grandfather. Through the medium of his membership in the United Spanish War Veterans, the Society of the Army of Philippines, in the local camp of which he is adju- tant, and the Military and Naval Order of the Spanish-American War, Mr. Worthington maintains relations with his comrades of the late war. The can- didates of the republican party are always accorded the political support of Mr. Worthington, who takes an active interest in all civic affairs.

ROBERT ROSE PETERS.

Des Moines was yet in the pioneer period of its existence during the winter of 1855-56. The red man had reluctantly yielded possession of the beautiful prairies surrounding it, but its local affairs were still in a somewhat primitive although progressive state of civilization. It was in the autumn of 1855 or early in the succeeding winter that Robert R. Peters entered this community, unobtrusively prepared to share its vicissitudes or assist in its development.

Robert Rose Peters was born March 17, 1836, in Waterloo, Seneca county, New York, and was the son of Philip and Hannah (Markle) Peters. The Peters and Markle (or Markel) families were of German origin but had lo- cated in York county, Pennsylvania, during colonial days. Philip Peters was born September 1, 1787, and served for a brief time in the war of 1812, in Cap- tain Ireland's company, New York Militia. He expired suddenly at his home in Seneca county when the subject of this sketch, the youngest of five children, was but five years of age. Under the care of his mother the boy attained young manhood in the home of the family on a farm between Waterloo and Geneva near Seneca Lake, and from life in this romantic region there developed in the lad a lasting admiration and love for the beauties of natural scenery. He fitted for college in the schools of Waterloo but decided to abandon all thought of a collegiate career and go west instead. A pioneering spirit had stirred the com-

R. R. PETERS

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munity in which he lived. Friends and relatives were braving the hardships of the little known western country, some in northern Michigan, while others, more venturesome, had gone to the newly discovered gold regions of California. They went and came again or remained and died-it was all a part of the enter- prise-and Robert R. but followed the example of the others. At eighteen years of age, in the winter of 1854, he was teaching a district school near Flat Rock, Michigan. The following year he attended a business college in Detroit. In the autumn of 1855 or the early winter of 1855-56, when he was nineteen years of age, he entered Des Moines for the first time. Evidently hoping for greater returns from an even more sparsely settled community, he went to Ne- braska and invested in a new town on the Missouri river. The unhappy inves- tors discovered too late that they had built below the high-water mark, of which there had been no one to make a record.

Mr. Peters returned to Des Moines and thereafter made his home with his sister, Mrs. Jehiel S. Cook. The J. S. Cook residence was on the southwest corner of Eighth and Walnut streets and the quarter-block on which it stood remained in the possession of the family for many years, then passed into the hands of R. R. Peters, who in turn sold it for business property after a number of years. The Grand department store is now upon this corner. Mr. Peters and his brother-in-law, J. S. Cook, together invested in real estate at various times in and near Des Moines. The former purchased a tract, through which Grand avenue now passes, extending from Greenwood park to Fifty-sixth street. The last parcel of this, known as Peters Place, was disposed of by the heirs some years since.

By the year 1860 the territory of Colorado was presenting fascinating pos- sibilities, and in the spring of 1861 Mr. Peters and Mr. Cook started for that promising land with a wagon train loaded with freight. The startling news was received at Adel in the adjoining county, when only one day's journey on the long trip, that Fort Sumter had been fired upon by the Confederates. Later both men desired to enter the Union army but business interests imperatively demanded the attention of one, and it fell to the lot of the younger partner to attend to financial problems while J. S. Cook entered the commissary department from Colorado and during his service received a wound, which later contributed to his accidental death in Colorado in November, 1869. Mr. Peters seems to have claimed Colorado as his home for some five or six years, although he returned to Des Moines at intervals during that time. That he was identified with its interests is confirmed by the following letter elicited by an inquiry for data of that period.

"Georgetown, Colorado, July 26, 19II.

In reply to your letter will state that the records of this county show that Robert R. Peters was elected treasurer of this county (Clear Creek county, Colorado Territory,) on December 2, 1861, (being the first treasurer of the county ) and resigned on October 6, 1862, and on the same day was appointed county clerk by the board of county commissioners and served as said clerk until October, 1863, the general election being held at that time.

The undersigned was acquainted with Mr. Peters at that time and knows that he served in both offices with credit to himself and the people he repre- sented. That was my first vote and I cast it for Mr. Peters.

Yours very respectfully, Frank L. Peck, Clerk and Recorder."

While in Colorado Mr. Peters made some successful financial ventures, crossed and recrossed the plains by the only methods of transportation in vogue · in that day, viz: the covered wagon called the "prairie schooner" or the lum-

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bering stage coach, and then returned to Iowa for permanent location. He was young, however,-besides, once a pioneer, always a pioneer, at least in spirit ; therefore he was open to what might promise business advancement connected with novelty of situation, and business opportunities were not abundant at that period. Thus it came that he acted upon a suggestion that he should spend a winter at the trading post of the Otoe Indians. The tribe then occupied its own lands in Nebraska but long since has been moved to the Indian Territory. Mr. Peters possessed a rare facility for winning friends and it was not long until the Indians were reposing such confidence in him that they deposited their money with him for safe-keeping. His family retains souvenirs of that interesting season, among them an elaborately beaded and dec- orated tobacco pouch presented him by an aboriginal friend. Among other tracts of land owned by Mr. Peters and Mr. Cook was a quarter section of fine prairie in Walnut township, a mile northwest of the present Valley Junction, abutting upon the extension of the present Grand avenue, and a mile west of Walnut Creek. About 1868 Mr. Peters improved this and opened it as a farm and with his sister's family took up his residence there, where he lived until his marriage.

In politics R. R. Peters was always a pronounced republican although tak- ing but little active part. He was a member of the Masonic order, having taken the initiatory steps September 4, 1858. After his return from Colorado the capitular degrees were bestowed upon him in 1866, from June 14th to July 2d inclusive, and he was knighted July 20, 1866, Temple Commandery, No. 4.

On September 4, 1877, Robert Rose Peters was united in marriage with Miss Mary Helen Baylies, daughter of Judge and Mrs. Nicholas Baylies, pio- neer residents of Walnut township, who had located there in April, 1859. On March 4, 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Peters entered into possession of their own home in Valley township, which is now one of the residence districts of Des Moines, known as "Ernhurst." This name was given by the owners to their own home, in the early day. This suburb extends north one-half mile from University avenue and from Forty-first street on the east to Forty-fourth street on the west. The original house, much remodeled, is still occupied by Mrs. Peters. It is located at Forty-first street and Forest avenue. A few years later eleven acres were purchased and afterward platted under the name of Kenmore. This is now a part of the residence district through which Kingman boulevard passes and fronts east on Park Lane (Forty-second street). On June 23, 1879, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Peters who was named Robert Baylies. On April 15, 1909, the latter was united in marriage with Miss Florence Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Walker of Des Moines.

In this community, where he lived until death claimed him, Mr. Peters was an active and much respected citizen and was turned to for counsel, advice and sympathy. He was a member of the school board of the then independent dis- trict of Oakdale for some years and at the time of his demise was treasurer of the board, which was erecting the brick building at Thirtieth street and Univer- sity avenue, since known as the Elmwood school. An unsuspected heart dis- order brought sorrow to many hearts when Mr. Peters passed away suddenly at his home on October 13, 1889, aged fifty-three years, seven months and six days. His wife and son, the latter then ten years of age, survived him. Rarely unselfish and sympathetic, he always had been able to enter into both the joys and griefs of others and was ready with a helping hand for those in need. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, having united with it during the pastorate of the Rev. Alfred Ames, and Dr. Ames also delivered the funeral sermon. He was laid to rest October 16, 1889, in Woodland cemetery, where the exercises were participated in by the Masonic fraternity to which he had belonged.

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An old German parchment covered theological work printed in 1703, con- tains on a blank leaf a record of the births of Henry and Hanna Peters and their eight children.

The grandparents of R. R. Peters were Henry and Hanna, the former born April 12, 1764, and the latter July 12, 1767. Their son Philip was born Sep- tember 1, 1787, and died in Waterloo, New York, in 1841. He married Hannah Markle (or Markel), who died in Waterloo, New York, in July, 1879, aged eighty-six years. Robert Rose Peters, born March 17, 1836, was their youngest child. Mrs. Catharine Markle (or Markel), mother of Hannah Peters, and wife of Philip, died in Waterloo, New York, September 7, 1855.

REV. HEZZIE EASTMAN VAN HORN.

The Capital Hill Church of Christ is one of the prominent agencies in Des Moines for the dissemination of the teachings of the Great Master, and its pastor, Rev. Hezzie Eastman Van Horn, has gained wide recognition on ac- count of the faithful discharge of his duties as the head of one of the most flourishing congregations of the city. He was born March 31, 1871, on a farm in Davis county, Iowa, which his maternal grandfather preempted upon gov- ernment land in the pioneer days. The father of our subject, Andrew Nelson Van Horn, was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and the mother, Olive Lucinda French before her marriage, was born in Davis county, Iowa. The father removed westward from Ohio when a young man and lived for several years at Quincy, Illinois, arriving in Davis county, Iowa, about 1867, when he was twenty-three years of age. Here he met the lady who subsequently became his wife. He engaged in farming the greater part of his life and is now living at Bloomfield, Iowa. The beloved wife and mother died October 16, 1910, and is buried near Stiles, Iowa. There were five children in the fam- ily of Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn namely: Hezzie Eastman, of this review ; Rowlee Elmer, Levi Sherman and Thomas Foster, all of whom are engaged in farming in Davis county; and Almina, who married Edward Altheide, also a farmer of Davis county.

Hezzie Eastman Van Horn received his early education in the public schools of Davis county, being a student of what is known as the Brown school, and which is noted for the number of famous men who in their boyhood enjoyed the advantages there presented. At the age of seventeen he entered the South- ern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield, Iowa, and prepared for teaching, which vocation he followed in Davis county for four years. In the spring of 1894 he studied for a few months at Drake University and in the same year was a candidate for county superintendent of schools of Davis county, but was de- feated.

In March, 1894, he was converted to the Christian religion and decided to devote his life to the ministry. He began his studies two weeks after his conver- sion at Drake University and continued as opportunity presented itself, graduat- ing with the degree of Ph. B. in 1901. A year later, having pursued the neces- sary studies, he received the degree of A. M. from the same institution. He preached during his college years, his first sermon being delivered at the Pleas- ant schoolhouse, a city mission of Des Moines. This was in May, 1894, very soon after entering college. In January, 1895, he was elected pastor of Union chapel in Clarke county and continued there about two years, later having charge of churches at Redding and Delphos, Ringgold county, and also at Blockton, Iowa, being instrumental in the erection of a church building in the latter place.

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These charges occupied nearly all of his time during his college course. After his graduation in 1902 he was chosen pastor at Osceola, Iowa, where he remained for four years, coming to Des Moines in 1906 as pastor of the Capitol Hill Church of Christ, located at Twelfth and Des Moines streets. At the time he assumed charge the church numbered four hundred and fifty members. It now has a membership of eleven hundred and fifty, and during the last six years has had over one thousand accessions to its roll-a record which has seldom been excelled in the west and which speaks volumes for the ability and effective- ness of its management.

On the Ist of January, 1894, Mr. Van Horn was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. George, of Pulaski, Davis county, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William W. George. The father and mother were both born in Davis county. He is a carpenter and now resides in Des Moines. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. George, namely: Eva L., now Mrs. Van Horn ; Alvah A., who lives in Des Moines; Mary, who is a public school teacher ; Grace, the wife of John Thompson, of Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Margaret, who married Harry Holley, of Sioux City, Iowa ; Ethel, a teacher in the public schools of Des Moines; Earl; and Guy.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn : Lyle Everest who died at the age of four years; Cloris Dale, now thirteen years of age; Georgia Olive, who has arrived at the age of ten years; and Eveline Lucille, aged three years. Mr. Van Horn is a forcible and brilliant speaker and as he is a constant student and an intelligent observer he commands close attention whenever he appears in the pulpit or on the platform. At the age of forty he may be said to be just fairly launched in his mission as a preacher of the gospel, of which he is an eloquent and convincing exponent. He is a valued member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and has lectured extensively in behalf of the beneficent principles of these orders. He is a stockholder of the Jewett Lumber Company. Being a man of unusual energy, determination and zeal and, moreover, actuated by a spirit which earnestly urges him to wider accomplishment in the great cause in which he is engaged, there is no doubt in the minds of his friends that he will gain many notable vic- tories in the years to come.

J. H. ANDERSON.

Another of the self-made men of Des Moines is J. H. Anderson, whose determination, supported by perseverance and tireless energy, enabled him to acquire an education and establish a lucrative law practice before he had attained the age of thirty-two years. He is a native of Illinois, having been born in Middletown, Logan county, on the 19th of January, 1879, his parents being Lemuel I. and Judith (Tomlin) Anderson. The father, whose birth occurred in Springfield on the 24th of March, 1842, was as energetic as his son, having at the age of fifteen years burned all of the brick required in the construction of a large residence, in which he lived from then until he passed away on the 15th of September, 1910. Mrs. Anderson was originally from New Jersey, hav- ing migrated from that state to Illinois in a prairie schooner in 1865.

After completing the educational course of the common schools J. H. Ander- son was compelled to become self-supporting, engaging in various pursuits until he had acquired the means necessary to enable him to take a commercial course in a business college at Springfield, from which institution he was grad- uated on the 20th of February, 1902. Following this he went to Minnesota, entering another business college in Marshall, that state, where he took up the study of shorthand and which he pursued until he had completed the course ---

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the 15th of January, 1903. He was also engaged in the lumber business at this time being the manager of the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Company.

Being desirous of adopting the legal profession for his life vocation he later went to Des Moines, where he entered the law department of Drake University, being awarded his degree with the class of 1906. Having no one to assist him in procuring the means for an education Mr. Anderson was entirely dependent upon his own efforts, and although at times it seemed as if it would be im- possible for him ever to realize his aspiration such ambition as he possessed is not easily vanquished, and so he did all manner of odd jobs to earn his live- lihood in order to get through school. He fired furnaces in winter and mowed lawns in summer, and by living frugally and practicing the most rigid economy at last attained the goal. On the Ist of September, 1906, just three months after his graduation, he began practicing with a capital of fifty dollars. The industry, resourcefulness and persistence which characterized the student were quickly recognized in the man by those in need of the services of an attorney possessing the mental ability essential to solve the complex, intricate and often- times involved legal problems which frequently confront the man of affairs. Thus almost from the beginning Mr. Anderson was accorded the business his thorough scholarship and ability justly merited, and as a result during the five years he has been engaged in practice he has built a comfortable residence and has a bank account, which gives him the ease of mind and assurance, as well as confidence, so necessary to success in any vocation.

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Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II, Part 75

Author: Brigham, Johnson, 1846-1936; Clarke (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Brigham, Johnson, 1846-1936; Clarke (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1464